Binder.



N0. 809,493. V PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906- V F. A. CLEVELAND.

BINDER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1905.

BY/l/S Arrow/Egg;

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906 Application filed May 17, 1905. Serial No. 260,785.

nection with covers or binders of this class of a binder.

which will be positive in their action and easily operated. The use of binders of this description is well understood, and it is not thought necessary to enter into an explana-' tion of their operation further than to state =the principal requirement, which is that any 4 number of pages or leaves may be inserted,

replaced, or taken out without disturbing the remaining leaves.

The object of my invention'is to provide a device which shall meet this requirement and accomplish the result by the use of a simple locking mechanism which does not require separate keys or other devices to operate the same and which shall be self-contained and operated by turning the book on one side to lock the covers in any desired position and to release the same by simply reversing the position of the book. To accomplish this result, I provide an upper and lower clampingsection which may be attached to the covers These clamping-sections are normally held apart by the action of springs contained in telescoping members attached to said clamping-sections in the usual manner. Attached to one of these clampingsections, preferably the upper, I provide a post which carries a pawl or dog, which is adapted to engage projections on the interior of a cooperating post or casing, which is secured to the lower clamping-section. This latter post or casing is adapted to telescope over the post carrying the pawl or dog. The construction of these parts is such that when the clamping-sections are in the position just indicated a free inward movement is permitted, and the pawl or dog will operate to prevent an outward movement of the members. As the position of the clamping-sections and attached covers is reversed the pawl or dog will fall out of engagement and allow the clamping-sections to be separated by the action of the springs heretofore rererred to or by other suitable means.

The construction of the device herein shown and described is similar to that shown in my copending application, Serial No. 260,784. The distinguishing feature of this device is found in the auxiliary weight, which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The construction and operation of the device will be more fully explained in connection with the drawings accompanying this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective side elevation of a pair of clamping-sections or binder-frames with the covers and leaves of the book omitted. Fig. 2 is an enlargedside elevation in section of the post and casingcarrying the locking mechanism. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation and detail view of the post carrying the pawl or dog.

In Fig. 1 at 1 and 2 is shown an upper and lower clamping-section, respectively, which may be attached by any suitable means to the covers of the binder. At 8 3 are shown telescoping members containing springs which operate normally to, separate the clamping-sections 1 and 2.

At 4 is shown a post attached to the upper clampingsection 1 by any suitable means and in such a manner that it may be rotated therein. This post carries at its lower end a pawl or do such as shown at 5. This dog is not attac ed to the post 4, but is carried in a slot at the lower end of said post and rests upon a support, such as 6. has an extension at one side thereof and is so shaped as to provide a fulcrum and stop, against which the pawl 5 will be operated by gravity as it is moved into engagement with the projections on the interior of the casing 7, as shown in Fig. 2.

The pawl 5 is small and light in its construction, and in order to insure a quicker and more positive action thereof an auxiliary weight 8 is provided, which is preferably cy lindrical in form and rounded at one end, Where it rests against the pawl, as shown in Fig. 2. A suitable opening 9 in the post 4 is provided to receive the auxiliary weight 8. This opening is of such a size and depth as to allow the weight to slide freely therein as the covers are reversed.

The casing 7 may be attached by any suitable means to the lower clamping-section 2.

The support 6 I The projections on the interior of this casing are preferably in the form of a spiral or thread, as shown, to provide means for further tightening of the covers, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The slot in the lower end of the post 4 has its lower portion closed by the stop 6, which is fastened therein by any suitable means. This provides a chamber or recess between the upper portion of the slot and the stop 6. The upper portion of this slot is formed at an angle with the axis of the post 4 in order to provide for a movement of the pawl 5 in the slot and also to limit said movement. The opening 9 is so located in the post as to allow the auxiliary weight 8 to slide into engagement with the pawl 5 at a point near to the outer end thereof as it lies in the slot in the post 4, as shown in Fig. 2.

The outer end of the pawl 5 is provided with a projection or point which is adapted to engage the spiral toothed projections on the interior of the casing 7 when the covers and attached parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2. The inner end of the pawl is curved in the arc of a circle and is adapted to fulcrum against that portion of the stop 6 which has a similar complementary form. The portion of the pawl extending below the projection or point which engages the casing is also curved on the arc of a circle taken from the center about which the pawl swings.

This construction allows the pawl to drop by the action of gravity out of engagement with the casing when the covers are reversed in position. The movement of the pawl in this case will be the same as it would have if it were pivoted at the center of curvature of the end thereof. Many advantages, however, will be apparent in the construction shown over a pivoted construction, among which may be mentioned a more positive action, less friction, and wear on account of the increased bearing-surface, and less liability to bind or stick in the motion thereof.

The pawl is not attached to the post, but is retained in an operative position in the re cess because of the peculiar shape of said recess and pawl. When the covers arere versed from the position shown in the drawings, the auxiliary weight 8 immediately drops back from the pawl and a slight downward pressure upon the covers will release the point of the pawl from engagement with the projections on the inner surface of the casing and allow it to drop by the action of gravity against the upper portion of the slot, in which position the point of the pawl will not engage the projections upon the inner surface of the casing, and the covers may then be separated by means of the springs heretofore referred to, allowing the removal or replacing of the leaves contained therein. Upon again reversing the covers back to the position shown in the drawings the pawl will drop by the action of gravity, having its motion accelerated by the weight 8, which also..drops into engagement with said pawl into the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position the upper cover may be pressed down until the leaves are securely clamped or held. The point of the pawl in this position will engage the pro-.

It will be noted-that the device herein shown and described as an illustration of an operative embodiment of my invention is composed of a very small number of parts and that such parts are of a simple construction and may be easily and cheaply manufactured.

The object of the auxiliary weight is to insure a more positive action and quicker movement of the pawl. This allows the pawl to be made very small and light, thus taking up very little space and permitting of a very compact construction, which is entirely self-contained. By placing this weight in the post itself no additional space is required and all of the advantages of a much heavier pawl are obtained, and in addition a much quicker action is insured because of the fact that when the covers and clamping sections are reversed the weight will quickly fall away from the pawl, allowing the same to drop out of engagement, permitting the post 4 to be drawn out until the shoulder on the same engages the outer end ofthe casing 7.

I do not confine myself, however, to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it will be evident that various 'modifications and changes may be made therein to adapt the device to its several uses without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is--- 1.. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said clamping members, an unattached pawl 01' dog carried by said post and fulcrumed therein and adapted to engage the inner surface of the casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

2. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a slot at the lower end thereof attached to one of said clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post and fulcrumed therein and adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary wei ht cooperating with said pawl or dog to acceIerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

3. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a slot at the lower end thereof attached to one of said clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post in said slot and fulcrumed therein in such a manner that the bottom of said slot forms a stop to limit the movement of said pawl or dog, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

4. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said .clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post and fulcrumed' therein and adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing having a serrated inner surface secured to the other of said clamping members 'and adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

5. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post and fulcrumed therein and adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing having a threaded inner surface secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, means for rotating said post in said casing, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

6. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a chamber at the lower end thereof attached to one of said clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post andfulcrumed therein and adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight located in said chamber in said post and cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

7. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members. a post having a slot at the lower end thereof, said slot being partially closed by means of a stop member secured therein, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post in said slot and fulcrumed against said stop member and adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

8. In a hinder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached toone of said clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post and having one end thereof adapted to be fulcrumed therein and the other end thereof adapted-to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping mem bers adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

9. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post and having one end thereof curved to fulcrum therein and the other end thereof adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

10. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said clamping members, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post and having one end thereof formed on a circular arc to fulcrum therein and the other end thereof adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action I of the same, substantially'as described.

11. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a slot at the lower end thereof, said slot being partially closed by means of a sto member secured therein, a stop member aving a portion thereof adapted to form a fulcrum for a pawl or dog, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post in said slot and having one end thereof adapted to be fulcrumed against said sto member and the other end thereof adapte to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially asdescribed.

12. In a binder, the combination of a pair ofclamping members, a post having a slot at the lower end thereof, said slot being partially closed by means of a stop member secured therein, a stop member having a portion thereof curved to form a fulcrum for a pawl or dog, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post in said slot and having one end thereof curved to adapt it to be fulcrumed against said stop member and the other end thereof adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary.

weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

13. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a slot at the lower end thereof, said slot being partially closed by means of a stop member secured therein, a stop member having a portion thereof formed on a circular arc to provide a fulcrum for a pawl or dog, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post in said slot and having one end thereof formed on a circular arc to adapt it to be fulcrumed against said stop member and the other end thereof adapted to engage the inner surface of a casing, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

14. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post havinga slot at the lower end thereof, said slot being partially closed by means of a stop member secured therein, a stop member having a portion thereof formed on a circular arc to provide a fulcrum for a pawl or dog, an unattached pawl or dog carried by said post in said slot and having one end thereof formed on a circular arc to adapt it to be fulcrumed against said stop member and having at the other end thereof a projection adapted to engage cooperating projections on the inner surface of a casing, a casing having projections from the inner surface thereof adapted to engage said projection on said pawl or dog, said casing being secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, an auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same, substantially as described.

' Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 16th day of May, A. D. 1905.

FREDERICK A. CLEVELAND.

Witnesses:

D. S. FERo, H. A. DUNN. 

